Candidate 'U' Application:
"..but apart from that, when it comes to role models, I think I would have to say Hugh Heffner."

Candidate 'Z' Application:
"My family tree is quite interesting - I come from a long line of noble aristocrats starting way back with the.."

Candidate 'Y' Application:
"..and because of that, I do regret not having gone to university. With respect to further educaction.."

Candidate 'C' Application:
"..always loved to cook. So far I've taken college cookery courses in Mediterranean, Chinese, Thai and Bangladeshi cuisine and next year.."

Hmm.

Actually DS, when you see them all (below) It does prompt the question, are we in for 3 teams of five to start?


Candidate 'A'
"..one of my pastimes is strumming the guitar, which I’m not too bad at, and once.."

Candidate 'C'
"..always loved to cook. So far I've taken college cookery courses in Mediterranean, Chinese, Thai and Bangladeshi cuisine and next year.."

Candidate 'F'
"..In fact I was once given the nickname “Mouth of the Year” at my office Christmas Party.."

Candidate 'G’
"..I have to admit to having been fired from my paper-round when I was fifteen years old for.."

Candidate 'H'
"..and one of my absolute favourite things to do is snowboard – I love to do it when.."

Candidate 'J'
"..In fact I left school at sixteen to pursue a career in football with a Premier Division Football Club who I .."

Candidate 'L'
"..another one of my bad habits is that I play with my hair when I’m bored, but.."

Candidate 'P'
"..I also have a particular aptitude for languages and can speak six of them, which I find.."

Candidate 'S'
"..as well as that, I’m very musical. One of my highlights was performing Mozart at Carnegie Hall.."

Candidate 'T'
"..also, when I was younger, I used to be very good at chess, in fact I ranked 21st in the UK’s league of young chess players when I was nine years old.."

Candidate 'U'
"..but apart from that, when it comes to role models, I think I would have to say Hugh Heffner."

Candidate 'V'
"..plenty of other places to live, but I actually live right next door to my parents!.."

Candidate 'X'
"..not too keen on them. But you could definitely class me as a cat lover – I have four called.."

Candidate 'Y'
"..and because of that, I do regret not having gone to university. With respect to further education.."

Candidate 'Z'
"My family tree is quite interesting - I come from a long line of noble aristocrats starting way back with the.."

At least we now know the first task, and that there are indeed 16 candidates!

From the Radio Times web site:

The Apprentice
New series

Wednesday 25 March
9:00pm - 10:00pm
BBC1

Sir Alan Sugar sets gruelling tasks for business hopefuls. As the sixteen fresh-faced candidates enter the boardroom for the first time, Sir Alan leaves them under no illusions about how tough the next twelve weeks will be, and they are immediately given their first task: Make as much money as possible by starting up a cleaning company. With just eight hours to turn a profit, both teams have to roll up their tailored sleeves and get stuck in. But who will be the first to hear 'You're fired'?

I have nothing of value to add , but I really can't wait.
I love the apprentice

When I read the details of the contestants I suspect they are chosen along the lines of the Big Brother participants....more for personality clash factor than ability......but of course they are making a programme.

Fingers crossed they will not disappoint.

Meet Phil Taylor

All you girls will probably admire his serenading, it's a woman thing!

Yes and no - one bloke did a runner from the house the night before the first task.

Probably the wisest move in the circumstances...